By Christa Protano
Let’s face it, William Shakespeare is a tough nut to crack for any reader. But add a few good-looking actors, a confident director, a sprinkle of Hollywood magic, and, suddenly, the works of “The Bard” become a little more manageable. Case in point: the latest rom-com Anyone But You is a modern-day adaption of Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s comedic play about two couples and a bunch of silly misunderstandings. Personally, I’d much rather watch this fake-relationship trope play out on screen then try to make sense of pages of iambic pentameter.
Since 1899, when the silent film King John debuted, Hollywood has been obsessed with trying to introduce Shakespeare to new audiences. According to Guinness World Records, the English playwright has more than 1,000 writing credits on film and TV productions, making him the most filmed author. So where to start watching such works? Fear not, we’ve compiled some of our favorite contemporary film adaptations to add to your streaming queue.
Get started on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare today!
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t kick things off with Baz Lurhmann’s masterpiece starring a very young Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Twenty-five-plus years later and we are still singing Lovefool. The soundtrack itself gets just as much praise as the film, which features Shakespeare’s original dialogue, unforgettable sets and costumes, and all the drama perpetuated by two star-crossed lovers.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Another iconic 90’s adaptation, 10 Things I Hate About You is a modern-day version of the Taming of the Shrew. While it does not feature much of Shakespeare’s original dialogue and is set amidst a high school backdrop, the story is the same: One boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) must convince another (played by the late Heath Ledger—his breakout role) to date his crush’s sister (née Julia Stiles as the so-called shrew) in order for everyone to live happily ever after. Also featuring plenty of 90’s bops, some may call 10 Things the best teen movie ever.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1999)
If you’ve enjoyed watching Stanley Tucci mix up negronis, or you’ve been following him around Italy these past few years, you’ll want to check out his performance as the notorious Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This visual stunning adaption of the whimsical play features original dialogue and the talent of a dreamy star-studded cast to bring to life one of Shakespeare’s more magical tales.
Hamlet (1948)
While Hamlet has been taken on by many a leading man—Ethan Hawke, Mel Gibson, Kenneth Branagh to name a few—it is Laurence Olivier’s portrayal and direction of the Prince of Denmark that earned Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Picture. It remains the only direct adaptation to win such awards to this day. At the time, The New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther wrote, “But now the matter is settled; the filmed Hamlet of Laurence Olivier gives absolute proof that these classics are magnificently suited to the screen.” Will this version prove to be or not to be your favorite? That is most certainly a question.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
OK, so this one if not a true adaption, per se, but we do love a good origin story these days. Which is why we think the Academy Award-winning Shakespeare in Love belongs on this list. The story follows a struggling young Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) as he searches for his muse (Gwenyth Paltrow) who ultimately inspires him to write Romeo and Juliet. The rest of the cast includes Geoffrey Rush, Judi Dench, and Colin Firth, among others. The film won seven Oscars and put Paltrow on the path to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading actresses.